Get matched with top movers in Exira, IA

Start by removing any obstacles in the moving path, such as side tables, lamps, or other furniture. If your couch has legs, unscrew them. Measure the couch and the stairway to ensure you have enough room; if it seems unlikely, examine the shape and size of the couch and decide whether it might fit better up the stairway and through doorways on its side, held diagonally, or moved in an upright position.

Consider putting the sofa on a dolly to go up the stairs. It should be able to fit upright on a standard dolly with wheels. You’ll still need to lift the dolly—with the couch on it—up the stairs, but it will reduce the physical strain. The person holding the dolly should pull the couch up, while the helper should be on the other side, keeping the couch secure and steady.

If you don’t have a dolly, the person in front should lift the couch slightly higher than the person in the back to create more stability. The person in the back should also be the stronger mover, as most of the weight will be distributed there.

For a long trip, it is less expensive to schedule a one-way rental since you're driving fewer miles. Plus, it's usually not feasible to move across the country and then drive the vehicle back to where you got it. However, a round-trip option makes more sense if you're moving in town.

The best equipment for moving large rocks from your yard depends on their size and weight. A heavy-duty wheelbarrow or a rock dolly can be effective for smaller boulders. A skid-steer loader or a mini-excavator with a grapple attachment provides the necessary power and control for larger, heavier rocks that you can’t lift manually. Professionals may use a larger excavator and ratchet hoist to remove larger boulders.

Renting a moving truck or using a shipping container (or moving pod) are typically the cheapest ways to move long-distance. For moving a few items, a container can cost as little as $700. Renting a standard-sized moving truck averages between $1,200 and $2,100. For longer distances, moving pods can become more cost-effective, as you can ship the pod to your destination and avoid transportation costs like gas, mileage, and lodging.